True Riches
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Posted:Feb 5, 2009 4:49 pm
Last Updated:May 1, 2024 12:50 am 6862 Views
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Habakkuk 2:9
"Woe to him who builds his realm by unjust gain
to set his nest on high,
to escape the clutches of ruin!"
1 Timothy 6:10 (New International Version)
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Commentary: money is not evil, but God condemns the love of riches and the evil means of acquiring it. Be careful not to hunger for wealth so much that you lose your appetite for God. Do not allow money to take the place of family, friends, or God.
Habakkuk 2:18
Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it?
Or an image that teaches lies?
For he who makes it trusts in his own creation;
he makes idols that cannot speak.
Commentary: Idolatry may seem like a sin that modern people need not fear. But idolatry is not just bowing down to idols; it is trusting in what one has made, and therefore, in one's won power as creator and sustainer. If we worship God but put our trust in bank accounts, homes, businesses, and organizations, then we are idolaters. Do you trust God more than you trust what your hands have made?
I had read these verses with my Bible devotion time in the morning just a few weeks ago, when the very next Sunday my pastor preached on I Timothy 6:3-19. Paul wrote this letter to encourage Timothy. His advice to Timothy is still true today. So how can we keep away from the love of money?
Paul says:
1. Realize that one day all your riches will be gone (6: 7, 17 )
2. Be content with what you have (6:8 )
3. Monitor what you are willing to do to get more money (6:9, 10)
4. Love people more than money (6:11)
5. Love God's work more than money (6:11)
6. Freely share what you have with others (6:18 )
I love what Paul has to teach us about living a kingdom life. I still refer back to this verse to reference and wrap-up all that I have studied:
Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
This is a real gem. It really doesn't matter if I am rich or I am poor, if I am healthy or hurting because God is my strength. It doesn't come from me, it comes from God.
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Time to Turn
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Posted:Jan 14, 2009 5:24 pm
Last Updated:Feb 5, 2009 4:39 pm 6563 Views
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Nahum 1:3
"The Lord is slow to anger and great in power;
the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.
When humans are jealous and take vengeance, they are usually acting in a spirit of selfishness. However, when God acts in the this way it is not mixed with selfishness. His purpose is to remove sin and restore peace to the world. When people wonder why God doesn't punish evil immediately, help them remember that if he did, none of us would be here. We can be thankful that God gives people time to turn to him.
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Money can't buy everything...
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Posted:Jan 11, 2009 7:18 pm
Last Updated:Jan 24, 2009 12:20 pm 6586 Views
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For money you can have everything it is said.
No, that is not true.
You can buy food, but not appetite; medicine, but not health; soft beds, but not sleep; knowledge but not intelligence; glitter, but not comfort; fun, but not pleasure; acquaintances, but not friendship; servants, but not faithfulness; grey hair, but not honor; quiet days, but not peace.
The shell of all things you can get for money.
But not the kernel.
That cannot be had for money.
-Arne Garborg, writer (1851-1924)
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Share in the Victory
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Posted:Jan 4, 2009 6:25 am
Last Updated:Jan 10, 2009 6:29 pm 6827 Views
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Habakkuk 3:17-19 (New International Version)
17 Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
19 The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.
When I read these verses the other day during my morning devotion time, it reminded me of something I remembered reading before that Paul said:
Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
These verses tie into one another and speak of the same scenario. Take our current economic times for instance. We may be quick to worry or wonder what will come next. We may be focused on our circumstances or the state of the world at large. Whether it is unemployment, recession turning into depression, stock market values dropping, wars continuing, global warming melting all the glaciers or something more personal like divorce, separation from loved ones, shame over poor choices in your past...you name it. There are plenty of things to be focused on though and the world is not one focus the Christian mind should have.
Habakkuk affirmed that even in times of starvation and loss, he would still rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk's feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God's ability to give him strength. When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more that you can bear, remember that God gives strength. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God.
Even if your difficulties seem totally out of your control, just remember, that at the proper time God will bring about his justice and completely rid the world of evil. In the meantime though, God's people need to live in the strength of his Spirit, confident in his ultimate victory over evil. We cannot see all that God is doing, and we cannot see all that God will do. However, we can be assured that he is God and will do what is right. Knowing this can give us hope and confidence while living in a confusing world.
I always misquoted the Philippians verse. I use to say: "I can do anything through Christ who strengthens me." But, the verse doesn't say "anything" it says "everything." The word "anything" always put me on a plane of self. It reminds me of the thing we tell our , "You can be anything you want to be when you grow up." So, because of that one word, I felt I could just choose my preferred state of mind or choices and Jesus would back me up. But the word, "everything" speaks of something different. Everything would include suffering, hurting, crying, or disappointment (because who would actually choose any of those anyway??). Re-read the verse now: I can do suffering through Christ who strengthens me...I can hurt through Christ who strengthens me. It tells me something deeper now. It tells me Christ is the victor already.
In a book I read recently titled Sit, Walk, Stand by Watchman Nee he talks about how Christ is already the victor through his death and resurrection. Mr. Nee states: "Because the victory is His, it is also ours. If only we will not try to gain the victory but simply maintain it, then we will see the enemy utterly routed. We must not ask the Lord to enable us to overcome the enemy, nor even look to Him to overcome, but PRAISE HIM because HE HAS ALREADY DONE SO; He is the victor. It is all a matter of faith in Him. If we believe the Lord, we shall not pray so much but rather we shall praise him more. The simpler and clearer our faith in Him, the less we shall pray in such situations and the more we shall praise."
Praise Him, Praise Him, all ye little ...
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When your is your teacher
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Posted:Oct 16, 2008 5:26 pm
Last Updated:Oct 27, 2008 1:38 pm 6691 Views
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If a were your teacher you would learn stuff like...
- When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
- Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
- Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
- When it's in your best interest -- practice obedience.
- Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
- Take naps and stretch before rising.
- Run, romp, and play daily.
- Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
- Avoid biting, when a simple growl will do.
- On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
- On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.
- When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
- No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout... run right back and make friends.
- Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
- Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
- Be loyal.
- Never pretend to be something you're not.
- If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
- When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
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The New Look
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Posted:Oct 12, 2008 5:33 am
Last Updated:Oct 16, 2008 4:49 pm 6643 Views
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Contrary to what others have said, I like the new look of Big Church. I like the fact that I can log-in on the home page, it is more efficient than waiting for another page to pop up in order to log-in. I like the tabs across the top and the new look of the drop down menus. I also like the fact that the "View All" button on the blogs page is enlarged. Can't miss it now!!
What a face lift!! 
Karen
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Out of Gas
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Posted:Sep 30, 2008 5:15 pm
Last Updated:Oct 2, 2008 2:51 pm 6876 Views
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If you follow the national news, you have probably heard about the gas crisis in the southern states. There is a refinery in Texas that evidently distributes to this area that was effected by the storm. Consequently, we are experiencing a gas shortage.
So, for those of you from the south, how are you holding out? This excludes Florida for some reason? I guess their gas comes from somewhere else. But for Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and North and South Carolina gas stations are running out of gas. When a few deliveries get made, panic strikes and lines get extremely long just waiting to fill up (or top off their tanks).
Last Saturday, I waited in a line at a gas station for twenty minutes and was three cars away from the pumps when the guy inside the store walked out and said, "Sorry, we are out of gas"
So then on Sunday, my called me on my cell phone to tell me of another station that had gas. I drove over there and waited for 50 minutes to finally get a full tank of gas. I pass 7 gas stations on the way to work and last week I noticed that only two of them had gas. Of those two, one had only premium and the other had only regular. The news reports that this could go on for another two to three weeks. It is really touch and go.
Keep us all in your prayers. Those in lines waiting, those unable to fill up their vehicles, and the powers that be in Texas and at other distributors that could be sending us some relief but aren't. As for me, pray that I can persevere until things are back to normal.
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Commitment
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Posted:Sep 21, 2008 4:08 pm
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2008 2:55 pm 6600 Views
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This was sent to me by a leadership email I subscribe to. I thought it applied to everyone...because whether you realize it or not, we are all leaders.
Commitment
Think of someone you know (or know of) who is "a person of good character." Lock his or her image in your mind. Now take a moment to reflect on the things this person says and does...the personal characteristics that make him or her a role model for you. What comes to mind? What do you see?
Chances are that high on the list of your role model's qualities is COMMITMENT - the unwavering dedication to being a good family member and friend...to doing his or her best at work and away from the job...to doing what's right, noble, and decent.
Committed people like your role model just seem to have their heads and hearts in the right place. They keep their priorities straight. They stay focused on what's important. They know, inherently, that what they believe must drive how they behave - and how they behave ultimately determines the character they possess, the reputation they enjoy, and the legacy they leave.
Do they face occasional temptations to compromise their values...to do what's easy, convenient, and self-serving? Of course they do! But, they fight those temptations the same way they approach every aspect of their lives: With everything they have.
Questions to Ponder:
What am I committed to?
What values are important to me?
How committed am I?
What personal behaviors can I cite as evidence of those commitments?
How close are my behaviors to those of my commitment role model?
What can I do to be a commitment role model for others?
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Now isn't that the truth!
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Posted:Sep 21, 2008 3:55 pm
Last Updated:Sep 22, 2008 2:56 pm 6744 Views
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Learning Psalms
A Sunday School teacher decided to have his second grade class learn Psalm 23, one of the most quoted texts from the Holy Bible.
She gave the a month to memorize the whole chapter. One of the boys was really excited about it, but he simply couldn't memorize the Psalm. Although he practiced hard, he could hardly get past the first few lines.
So the day came for the to recite Psalm 23 before the school board and that boy was nervous.
When his turn came, he stepped up to the microphone and proudly said, "The Lord is my Shepherd and that's all I need to know!"
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Guide to better relationships
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Posted:Sep 14, 2008 4:00 pm
Last Updated:Sep 17, 2008 3:52 pm 6762 Views
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The Ten Commandments, when viewed as a whole, are not just a set of rules, but also a pathway to better relationships.
The first four of the Ten Commandments teaches us how to relate to God and build on our relationship with Him. In this relationship, we are made free.
1. No other gods before Him
2. No idols - God is first in all you see and in all your affection. Our tendency is to need to "see" God or put him in a box (this is why the Israelites had to make a golden calf. They did not believe unless they could literally see God). It is okay to allow Him to remain mysterious.
3. Do not misuse His name. This is a test of putting God first. The term "vanity" or using the Lord's name in vain is synonymous with the word "empty". So in other words, do not use the word God as an empty phrase.
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. This teaches us to keep Him holy with our time.
Jesus said the first commandment was to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength (Mark 12:29-30). God, the maker of all priorities, should always be our first priority, especially when maintaining and enhancing our relationship with Him. God is our first relationship and should remain in that position.
The next six commandments deal with how we relate to others. These can be basically summed up into three principles for living:
* Love those closest to us
* The "shall not" rules tell us how not to harm one another - it cautions against taking something that is not yours, or taking things through destructive lies and it covers the aspect of refraining from physical harm to others.
* Be content with what God has given you - don't compare yourself with others. He is more concerned with our heart (or our inner desires) than in just what we do.
John Wesley encouraged his followers by coming up with three general rules that were inspired by the Ten Commandments
1. Do no harm and avoid evil of all kinds
2. Do good to all you can, in all ways you can, anytime you can.
3. Do all things that will help us know God better
By the way, the next most important "commandment" Jesus told us about was to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31)
Remember your most important relationship is with God.
We were challenged to answer this question this week, how would you answer it?
1. What are you doing to know Him better?
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